Those words made Zhou Gao feel as though he were floating on cloud nine.
"You- you did?"
"I did!" Ephraim's eyes curved in a smile. "You're such a wonderful person. I hope we'll have more chances to meet. Oh- why don't you give me your number?"
'My number… my number… my number…'
In an instant, Zhou Gao's exhaustion vanished without a trace. His star… was asking for his number. He-he had just been promoted from not merely a super fan… but to a potential friend!
He was still dazed when they exchanged numbers, his giddiness rising by the second. Star-chasing was truly exhilarating, especially when the stars you admired shone so brightly.
"Right, so…" Ephraim returned the phone to him after inputting his number, still smiling. "You said… you could let him stay over?"
Only then did Zhou Gao's attention shift, falling on the boy sitting quietly at Ling Xiaoying's feet.
Of course he recognized him.
This was one of the most frequent names to appear in Ling Xiaoying's livestream topics, someone every fan had heard of. Zhou Gao had been no exception; curiosity had driven him to search the boy up and watch a few of his videos.
The more he saw of Xu Jinyao, the more he wondered why the boy was only now gaining heat. He was amazing.
A true star in the making.
And though the biased Zhou Gao was reluctant to admit it, Xu Jinyao might even surpass Ling Xiaoying's talent one day.
Not to mention… he was exactly Zhou Gao's type. In appearance only, of course. Personality-wise, the boy was the complete opposite of the stars Zhou Gao usually liked. His usual type was confident, self-assured, and forward people whose unpredictability contrasted starkly with his own monotonous, predictable life.
And this boy was much the same—quiet, with a gentle disposition, and a heart that seemed rather vulnerable to hurt.
Thus, while Zhou Gao had not become a fan in the true sense, he had certainly become a silent well-wisher. One who admired every ounce of talent the boy possessed.
His willingness to offer help today came from many places.
First, he had been a reluctant witness to a piece of rather explosive news, and he could no longer remain a bystander.
Second, he suspected this might have something to do with what Shen Yizhou had meant earlier when he spoke of "help." Well… Not exactly 'spoke' but Zhou Gao just assumed.
Third, he had grown a little nosy and genuinely wanted to lend a hand.
And lastly, there was the practical side: with his superfan account boasting a decent number of followers, perhaps he could have Xu Jinyao appear in a video to debunk the false rumours circulating about Ling Xiaoying.
'Four birds with one stone. Aren't I clever? Shame I can't narrate this whole brilliant plan to Miss Ling and fish for a few more compliments.'
He didn't need to. Rachel had already pieced together some of the same possibilities, and was whispering them into Ephraim's ear.
[Ephraim: Oh… you think he's that helpful? Isn't he a bit too good to be true? … Can he beat a bear barehanded?]
[Rachel: Ephraim.]
[Ephraim: I'm just kidding, Rachel! No way would I drop my man for anything now. Heh. Besides, I don't even know if Mister Zhou's interested in guys.]
[Rachel: …I feel like we're edging into stalker territory here. But… well, he's bi. And a stone top. At least, that's what his bio said on a dating app he once joined. It was linked to his personal social media, not the one for work. He deleted it soon after, probably because he got embarrassed… or realized he'd never find a good date while his work swallowed up all his time.]
The more Ephraim heard, the more he found himself impressed. What a good catch this man was turning out to be. Even his height was starting to feel like an advantage; after all, it was always easier to win against someone shorter. If Xu Jinyao ever got into a fight with him then… Heh.
Just then, Xu Jinyao's fingers tightened on Ephraim's sleeve. After a moment of hesitation, he lifted his gaze toward Zhou Gao.
"Mister Zhou… I… are you sure? We're practically strangers…"
Zhou Gao shook his head at once, his tone warm and reassuring.
"Please, Mister Xu, don't trouble yourself over it. This is neither a burden nor a problem for me. That said… I understand if you find it hard to trust someone you've only just met."
"Oh, no. Not at all," Xu Jinyao shook his head quickly. "I trust Jiejie… and Mister Shen, whom Jiejie likes. If they both speak so highly of you… then I have no reason not to trust you."
Still, he felt guilty for intruding so much and asked softly, "I… how can I repay you?"
"You can sing a song for me," Zhou Gao said with a kind smile. "I've seen some of your videos. I was quite taken with them."
"Just… just that?"
Zhou Gao could tell the young man was still uneasy, so he chuckled.
"Well, if you insist on doing more… you could help me clear Miss Ling's name a little. You've heard the rumors, that she's using you and all that nonsense. I happen to be a great fan of hers."
"Oh, of course! I was going to do that anyway." Xu Jinyao turned to look at 'Ling Xiaoying'. "Jiejie… you weren't hurt too badly by it, right? I'm sorry I didn't do much… I was just… so lost in my own misery. I feel awful…"
Ling Xiaoying—or rather, Ephraim—grinned and reached out to ruffle his hair.
"Of course not. You've been through enough already. I'd be angry if you tried running around for me in your condition. Besides, these things are nothing to me. I already have a plan. You just focus on yourself, alright?"
For a moment, Xu Jinyao stilled. He had hardly ever felt protected in his life. Yet ever since meeting this woman, it was as if… no matter how far he fell, someone would be there to catch him.
Perhaps… perhaps things really would get better.
With a soft, nasally chuckle, Xu Jinyao stood and stepped forward, looping his arms around 'her' shoulders in a tight embrace. His lips curved into a bright smile, the lingering redness around his eyes betraying the traces of his earlier tears.
"I see… Thank you, Jiejie…"
Ephraim froze, eyes widening.
…This was new.
Very new.
He had never been thanked like this before. Not often.
Awkward and unsure, he returned the embrace stiffly at first. But a small, irrepressible giddiness soon welled up inside him, and his smile bloomed bright as he hugged back just as tightly.
"Yeah… yeah. You go relax now, alright? No more sadness, okay?"
"Okay."
"No more regrets. Got it?"
"I got it."
"Go have some seafood or something. When your mood's better, maybe we can go out for lunch together."
"Mn… I'll hold you to that."
When Xu Jinyao finally let go, Ephraim's mood was positively radiant.
He wanted to keep talking, to linger in this warmth a little longer—but the boy had already been through enough emotional strain for one day. Zhou Gao seemed to have the same thought, and after a glance at Xu Jinyao, he rose and spoke gently.
"Why don't we leave, Mister Xu? That is, if you want to."
Xu Jinyao gave one last quick hug to Ling Xiaying before nodding and leaving with Zhou Gao.
Before they left, Zhou Gao adjusted his glasses and turned to Ephraim with a courteous smile.
"I imagine Mister Shen should be finished by now. Allow me to call him for you."
Before Ephraim had the chance to say anything, Zhou Gao had already stepped into the boxing room. A short while later, he emerged wearing a faint smile, nodding toward Ephraim before leaving with Xu Jinyao in tow.
Not long after, Shen Yizhou walked out, running a hand through his hair as his gaze swept the room in search of Ling Xiaoyu. He found him lounging in a massage chair, looking tired, and giving him a rather suspicious glance.
Approaching, Shen Yizhou looked down and spoke gently.
"Had a good workout, Little Yu?"
"And a nice conversation too. Was that your doing, Zhou-ge?"
"What did I do?"
"You-" Ephraim huffed, but the corners of his lips curved tiredly. "I thought I told you not to help."
"I didn't help," Shen Yizhou replied mildly, crouching down as he carefully lifted one of Ephraim's legs, his fingers pressing into the muscle to massage it. "I only recommended the place to a worker whose work ethic I admired."
"Right. Whatever you say." Ephraim smiled faintly.
Shen Yizhou gave him a quiet look. "You want to go home to shower? You don't want to take one here, right?"
"Obviously." Ephraim grinned, pushing himself up to stand, only to wince as his legs protested.
'Ugh… Why did I skip exercise for so long… Serves me right for neglecting myself.'
Before he could straighten fully, the ground disappeared from beneath his feet. By the time his mind caught up, he was already in Shen Yizhou's arms—one strong arm braced behind his back, the other supporting the bend of his knees.
'Oh… this is a princess carry… It's a princess carry!'
Ephraim happily hooked his arms around the man's neck, smiling as he basked in the curious and surprised gazes that trailed after them.
"How was your day, Zhou-ge? Learned some cool moves?"
"It was highly fruitful," Shen Yizhou's voice was gentle, steady. "I acquired quite a bit of useful knowledge."
"Tiring?"
"No. Suitable."
"Oh, such a shame," Ephraim sighed, feigning regret. "I wanted to give you a nice massage when we took a bath later. I heard people really enjoy one in that kind of setting… for all sorts of reasons."
Shen Yizhou's steps paused. He lowered his gaze to meet the boy's eyes.
For a moment, Ephraim felt they were unusually serious. Too serious, even for Shen Yizhou.
After a beat, the man's voice dropped to a low murmur.
"Does little Yu understand the implications of that invitation?"
Ephraim's lips pursed. Heat crept up the tips of his ears, but he cleared his throat and tightened his hold on the man's neck.
"Of course. I… yeah. Of course."
Shen Yizhou's eyes lingered briefly on his lips before returning to his gaze. Then, with a reverence that almost made Ephraim's heart stutter, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead.
"Invite me again," he whispered, "when you're sure you won't get cold feet at the last moment…"
Ephraim shivered, instinctively burying his face into the man's chest. His voice came out muffled but earnest.
"Okay… but today… I really do want to bathe with you. Or a shower… Y'know… Like in those romantic movies."
Shen Yizhou's pulse quickened. He already knew—it would be a torturous bath for him. He only hoped he could survive it without giving in to the reckless boy in his arms, a boy who always spoke his mind without considering the consequences.
"…Alright. When we get home, we'll shower together."